A Bill for Better Bicycling in Ohio

House Bill 389

On Saturday, June 17, 2006, Governor Bob Taft signed
HB 389 into law before a crowd of GOBA riders during the 2006
GOBA opening ceremonies at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Xenia.
The new law went into effect on September 21.

The Better Bicycling in Ohio bill, known as
House Bill 389, makes Ohio laws
regarding cycling conform more closely aligned with the Uniform Vehicle
Code (UVC). The OBF worked for years as a member of the National
Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances to make the UVC more
cyclist friendly. Now, Ohio law will follow the UVC.

The new laws will

Substitute "far enough to the right to allow passing by
faster vehicles if such passing is safe and reasonable" for
"as close as practicable to the right-hand curb" in the
"slow-moving vehicle" section of the Ohio Revised Code.

No longer require front and rear wheel reflectors if a red
light is used in the rear.

Permit generator-powered lights.

Permit either flashing or steady rear light.

No longer require a bell or horn.

Other Articles

To see how the new law fits into the Ohio Revised Code, you may read
this article
by attorney and OBF board member Pete Precario.

For a more in-depth, up-to-date description, you may
read this article by Fred Oswald and Cal Kirchick.

Legislative History

Bill assigned to the House
Transportation, Public Safety, and Homeland Security Committee, chaired
by Rep. Steve Reinhard (R-Bucyrus).

2/23/06

Committee passed the bill unanimously
and it will next be sent to the full house for voting.

3/7/06

Passed by the full House; to be
assigned to the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee.
View a video of Rep. Setzer's
introduction and the subsequent House vote on the bill.

3/29/06

State Representative Arlene Setzer
gave her sponsor testimony before the Senate Highways and Transportation
Committee

5/16/06

Several members of the OBF Board
gave testimony before the Senate Transportation Committee on May 16
and 23.

5/23/06

The Committee passed the bill by
9-0.

5/24/06

The full Senate passed the bill
unaminously. The bill now is officially an Act.View
and listen to the Senate vote (get quicktime).

6/17/06

Governor Bob Taft signed HB 389
into law during the 2006 GOBA opening ceremonies at the Greene County
Fairgrounds in Xenia. The new law goes into effect September 21,
2006. Listen to a radio
announcement.